Song Airlines

[packy]

We flew Song from Newark, NJ. Would think twice about doing that again.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

May I ask why?

 

[*123JOANNA123*]

I'm not Packy, but here's my Song experience.

We flew Boston- Orlando then Ft Myers- Boston. The outbound trip was a bit of a nightmare. Firstly, in spite of emails and assurances to the contrary, they had assigned us four seats in separate parts of the airplane (I have a 2 yo and a 4yo).

The line for check in was HUGE at Boston and there were 3 desks open. We weren't allowed to check in at the self-service as we had paper tickets so we had to wait an hour to be checked in. At the desk, the lady told me she had put a special request down to the gate to get us at least 2 seats together.

When we got to the gate, there was a TV screen listing 'standby' passengers. There was one family who had been assigned 4 seats together and we had been assigned one seat. We asked the gate clerk and he said, 'Oh we've managed to get you 4 seats on the flight' HUH??? I said "we already have 4 seats, we just need some of them together". He said I had gotten the last 4 seats and that I was lucky to have them- I explained that I had two very young children who could not sit alone and he said there was nothing he could do and it was up to me if I didn't want to travel. He told me to board the plane and ask the crew to try to sort it out.

We boarded and were told by the stewardess to take our seats and then they would sort us out. I pointed to the two kids and asked how I was supposed to get them to take a seat alone. She looked at me, turned to the pilot who was standing beside me and said, 'I can't believe ground staff have seated infants on their own'. At this stage one of the stewardesses just looked at the other stewardess and said- 'it's your problem, not mine' and walked off.

The other stewardess and the pilot were so nice and helpful and managed to get us two seats and two seats (thank you to the kind people who switched seats). In the meantime, the pilot gave my 4yo a tour of the cockpit (he was blown away!). I then saw the family who had gotten the seats together (knew the seat numbers) and saw they were all older children - what's up with that?
The rest of the flight was great- we waited an age for bags at MCO, but that's kinda normal there I think.

Oh, and I did witness something really unusual- there was a child travelling with her mother (about 6 or 7 yo) who was hysterical- she did not want to fly, did not want to sit in her seat. The stewardess (the same 'not my problem' one incidentally) was really brusque with the mother and told her she would have to get off the plane as the child was disturbing the passengers. Granted, the mother was a little ineffectual in dealing with the kid, but having been at the other end of one of those tantrums, I could sympathise. To my astonishment, they put the mother and child off the plane, then allowed some standby passengers on. I must admit, I've never seen this happen.

The return flight, I found fine- it wasn't busy, the plane was clean and comfortable, the stewardesses were pleasant. I think the whole seat assignment debacle was actually Delta staff rather than Song staff and we would probably fly Song again.

Packy- sorry to hijack your thread, but I'd be interested to hear your experiences.

 

[Aisling]

We flew Song out of JFK and it was a very pleasant experience.

 

[packy]

It started with the check-in at Newark. It was a mob scene at 1:00 in the afternoon. We had E-tickets but got in line as the kiosks were crowded. I finally went to the kiosk to check-in but couldn't ever do it. I entered confirmation numbers, names and frequent flyer numbers but none would work and I kept getting a message to see an agent. We were in line and coaxed by a Delta employee to again try the E-ticket check-in. Same thing happened. Finally, an agent printed out our boarding passes 20 minutes later. The E-ticket check-in never did work. We went to the gate to board and learned about the Song zone check-in procedure. They board by zones not rows. We had three seats in one row and an opposite aisle. The three seats were zone 3 and the single aisle was zone 5. They apparently board the aisles last. Also, the start the boarding in front of the plane - why I do not know. We were Row 25 and zone 3 so were had to walk through about 20 rows of people in the front of the plane who were allowed to board first (they were in zones 1 and 2). As for the plane, the seats were a mid-blue with either orange, purple or lime green trim (all three in each row). Not my taste although the kid liked it. The flight down was the most chaotic flight I have ever been on and I blame the flight attendants - they were missing in action. Parents were allowing toddlers to go up and down the aisles the entire flight including when they were trying to serve drinks and food. Twice the Captain put on the seat belt light due to turbulence and asked everyone to remain in their seats - not! Kids and adults were up and down the aisles and the flight attendants did nothing. I have never seen this on a flight. Normally, when the seat belt light is on you are not even allowed in the aisles. We had a two year old in the row in front of us whose parents allowed her to wander the aisles most of the flight without a word from the flight attendants. When they did the pay-as-you-go food service, they started at the front of the plane. Rather than serve drinks with the food, the back of the plane had a seperate drink cart that started about half way back in the plane. The result was that everyone in the back of the plane got their drinks about 15 minutes before there food and refills were not offered. Regarding the food, they had Ms. Fields Cookies as an item. Note the 's' in cookies. My younger son and me ordered the cookies ($2.00) and got not cookies but 'a' cookie. The people next to us orderd the turkey sandwich for $7.00 and were not impressed. The return flight was a little calmer (8:00 a.m.). On that flight we ordered the bagel and cream cheese for $4.00 each. The bagels were ice cold - previously frozen then thawed. They tasted like cardboard - they were terrible. Also, if you drink coffee, the serve the smallest cup you will ever see - a large thimble would be accurate. The Flight Attendant was embarrassed and actually asked if I wanted two cups. Bottom line, if I had waited a couple of days I could have booked Continental for the same price. They serve food and don't charge for it. Also, given we use Newark and Continental is about 80% of the flights, we have flown them before and there is no comparison with Song - especially not if you can get the flight for the same (or at least close) price. That is why I would think twice about flying Song again.

 

[Momof2]

We just used Song out of Boston to Orlando. Our experience was great. No problems at either end using the kiosk check-in, our luggage arrived safely with us. We already had seat assignments, though we did go through some stress back when they changed over from Delta Express. The Song "talent" were pleasant, there did seem to be just a bit more leg room. We brought our own food onboard for both flights. On the flight down especially, we noticed many families scrambling to get seats switched to try to sit together. They even looked for people to be voluntarily bumped.

On a funny note, we sat near a very large, extended family group. It appeared to be 2 brothers, their wives, and maybe 6 or so teenagers. One of the brothers went up and down the aisle before take-off trying to negotiate seat changes to get his whole family together. It was comical to watch, though it did delay takeoff for about 5 minutes. Three days later, we were in a very crowded Test-Track at Epcot, the 4 of us were about to load into our car (2 in front, 2 in back), when the "negotiating brother" and his daughter came up behind us to fill our car from the single rider line (where they tell you you will be split up). First thing the guy tried to do was negotiate a switch with us so he could sit beside his daughter.

All in all, fine flights with Song, and if the price is right, we wouldn't hesitate to fly them again.

 

[rjjr]

Momof2,

All the posts about seat assignments are making me nervous...I already have mine, but you mentioned the switch over from Delta Express. When was that? I made my seat assignments in May (flight down) and July (flight back which I needed to change). Would the switch over affect me?

We are also flying from Boston to Orlando, so I was happy to read your post! Does Song not have curbside baggage check? Just wondering because we have car seats AND luggage to check (lots to move around).

Thanks for your comments!

Sue

 

[Momof2]

Sue,

It was back in April that Delta Express began switching flights to Song. I think if you searched back to that time, you'd see many posts from a group of us who went through the same thing - the name change, flight changes, cancelled flights, loss of seats, new seats.... It was crazy for awhile, but all worked out great for us. I'd just be sure that you check your itinerary on a regular basis to be sure nothing changes. You may have made yours after all the initial changes were made, in which case you should be just fine. This board is the best place to hear about changes - I think there's a huge number of us who go Boston-Orlando.

There is curbside check-in available at Logan, we've just never done it. I like the feeling of bringing my stuff in with me (and my 2 kids are old enough to help lug!). If curbside is easier for you, I'm sure it'll be fine. I'm not sure about curbside in Orlando - I don't recall noticing it, but then again I wasn't looking for it. The new security system at Orlando (really a 2 step process with our bags) is a bit crazier than Boston where the screening is done after they take your stuff.

Maybe one of the most important things you should be aware of us the weight limit for checked bags. It is 50 pounds for Song - we saw many people caught unaware at both airports. In Boston, each piece was weighed - in Orlando, the agent picked up our biggest, said no prob, and we were all set.

Have great flights and a great trip!

 

[rjjr]

Thanks for the great info!

 

[mep319]

Seat assignments on all airlines are subject to change...it is in the fine print somewhere. I had it happen way too many times and even had to fight to get on a plane once when we had "assigned seats." Got first class but I don't think the stress was worth it. For the most part they do "work" with you especially if you have small children....but I've also been bumped when I've had tickets 6 mos in advance b/c they could find a seat for me and my DD together! Just be prepared..get on the plane anyway..no one wants to sit next to a child crying for their mom and usually there is someone out there that will switch. AND be there early it makes a different especially on a full flight to MCO!!

 

[magictrickboy71]

I am flying Song from Newark in October. Do they have curb side check in? I really like doing that and I don't like to wait in the line at the counter.

Thanks,
Frank

 

[packy]

Newark has curb-side check-in. You will need to tip the Sky Cap.

 

[magictrickboy71]

Thanks Packy,

I love curb side check in. It's so easy and I don't mind tipping. I have a 2 year old and I have found this is the easiest way to go because we have the car seat and the stroller, I really don't want to have to move the luggage any further than I have to and the town car driver does most of that anyway.

I should have asked before but does Song do Curb side in Orlando?


Thanks again,
Frank

 

[Mama Twinkles]

Momof2, what do they do if your bag exceeds 50 lbs? Do they refuse to take it, or are you simply assessed a fee? Thanks in advance!

 

[alexturner74]

They'll take it, but only if you pay the fee.

 

[adamak]

This is making me nervous. I've read numerous Song thread, here and elsewhere, and mostly unpleasant comments. Sounds like they just can't get their act together. The zone boarding sounds good in theory, but how is that even going to work? Esp for those travelling with kids... what, let the kid board first? Crazy thought.

I'm flying Song in 2 weeks LGA to MCO, we'll see. I'm just praying that they don't cancel my flights. From the seating plan, it doesn't even look 1/3 filled.

 

[alexturner74]

Originally posted by adamak
This is making me nervous. I've read numerous Song thread, here and elsewhere, and mostly unpleasant comments. Sounds like they just can't get their act together. The zone boarding sounds good in theory, but how is that even going to work? Esp for those travelling with kids... what, let the kid board first? Crazy thought.

I'm flying Song in 2 weeks LGA to MCO, we'll see. I'm just praying that they don't cancel my flights. From the seating plan, it doesn't even look 1/3 filled.

I don't think it's that they can't necessarily get their act together, it's just that you generally only hear the bad things and not the good things. They're just like every other airline. The're good things and bad things.

The zone boarding basically works like this: Rows 1-14 board first, then all of the other rows board by window seats first, middle seats second, and aisle seats last. If you're travelling together, then you board together. For example, if a husband and wife have a window and middle seat together, then they will both board with the zone for the window seats.

Don't worry about whether the flight is canceled. There is nothing you can do about it anyway. It's unlikely that it would be canceled "just" because there aren't many people booked. One, airlines aren't supposed to do that, but second, if you think about the big picture, that aircraft would then be out of position to fly every flight afterwards that it's scheduled for. Most likely, there would be another reason like weather, mechanical, equipment availability, etc. Besides, you can't always go by the seating plan on the website as not everyone gets a seat assignment before they check in the day of.

 

[goofy4tink]

We flew Song from Boston to Orlando on Aug 15. Left early, got to Orlando early. Dh had the turkey sandwich and liked it and I had the chicken/salad combo thingie and it was yummy. We were seated in row 25, waaaaay back. We had no problem being seated. The 'talent' were fine, maybe a little too cheery!! We found it to be a very pleasant trip. The trip home on August 23 we were seated in row 4. No problems then either, except for the family of 7 who arrived late and had a real problem getting seated. Their problem, not the crew's!!! They made the flight home a little less fun. Again, we arrived in Boston early, despite the hold-up in Orlando.
Understand, my family tends to get to the airport very early. About 1 1/2- 2 hrs. early. We have had no problems whatsoever using the kiosks for check-in. In fact, they worked quite well. Even my dh was impressed with the ease of use. Security was not too bad. It took longer at Logan. We breezed through at MCO. But, once again, we were there way early. Had no problem with our seat assignments. There was a man at MCO who had gone ballistic over his seat assign. He was really upset. He sat next to me, just venting over and over. Thank heaven Karen (TLinden) came over and he gave her his seat!!! Thanks Karen. But if you check in early, you should have no problem. In fact, after listening to this guy griping, I had my dh go check our seats and was told they were fine!!
Would we fly Song again?? Yep, in a flash. It was a great experience all the way around. I figure that if it's better than the bus, I have had a great trip.

 

[Momof2]

Mama Twinkles,

They will still take your luggage - there is a fee - I'm not sure but I think its quite a bit. We also saw the Delta agents being very accomodating, giving people time to try to shift their stuff to different suitcases. The way I see it, we've already paid plenty for the ticket, there's no way I'm paying more just for my luggage!

 

[Aisling]

The zone boarding basically works like this: Rows 1-14 board first, then all of the other rows board by window seats first, middle seats second, and aisle seats last.

We were in row 2 and were actually called to board second. I don't remember which zone boarded before us. So maybe they board by other criteria, who knows.
But on our return, we were row 3 and our zone did indeed board first. This was out of JFK.